What references does the landlord require?

It is very important for the landlord to know that he is renting to a responsible person with the ability and intention to pay the rent.  To demonstrate this we will need to supply a landlord with a Bank reference (called a Status Enquiry), employer reference and where possible a previous landlord or mortgagee.  It is also common for landlords to ask their agent to photocopy your passport details.  This has been introduced to stop cases of fraud and government legislation on money laundering.

Who signs the contract?

Unless a Company Let, all occupiers over the age of 16 must sign the contract and accompanying documents.  Remember that a Tenancy Agreement is a binding legal contract and is not to be entered into lightly.  You should take independent legal advice on any aspect you do not understand.

Who pays "the bills"?

Usually the landlord is responsible for service and maintenance charges, ground rent, building insurance and fire/flood insurance of his contents (but not yours).

Tenants must arrange to have connected in their own name the gas, electricity, water and council tax charges.  We will take meter readings where applicable and submit to the gas and electricity suppliers.

The tenant is also responsible for connecting the telephone and insuring their own contents and if they wish damage to the landlord's contents, fixtures and fittings.